Albright's collection of pins lands in Santa Ana

Oct. 26, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Madeleine Albright's pin, "Liberty," looks like the Statue of Liberty's head and features two once-functioning clocks. One is for her to look at, the other is for others. On view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright discusses her collection of pins with Peter Keller, president of the Bowers Museum Oct. 18 at a press conference for her exhibit at Bowers Museum. Albright also wrote the book, "Read My Pins," where she discusses how she used jewelry as a diplomatic weapon during her time in politics. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Pictured is the "Secretary of State Eagle" worn by Madeleine Albright at her swearing in ceremony. It was made around 1890, and it's made by an unknown French designer. The components are 18 karat yellow gold, silver, diamonds, rubies and drop natural saltwater pearl. On view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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A gold serpent brooch that then-U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright started wearing after Saddam Hussein's government-controlled press called her an "unparalleled serpent" in 1994. Albright's collection of pins is on view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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A patriotic Mickey Mouse pin in the collection of Madeleine Albright. On view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright discusses her collection of pins that will be part of an exhibit at Bowers Museum. Albright also wrote the book, "Read My Pins," where she discusses how she used jewelry as a diplomatic weapon during her time in politics. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright discusses her collection of pins that are part of an exhibit at Bowers Museum. She appeared at the museum on Oct. 18 and 19. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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This pin, called "Breaking the Glass Ceiling," represents Madeleine Albright's achievements as a woman. When she became Secretary of State, she was the highest-ranking female government official in U.S. history. On view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Peter Keller, president of the Bowers Museum tour the exhibit of Albright's collection of pins that are part of an exhibit at Bowers Museum. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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"Blue Bird," circa 1880, is made by Anton Lachmann of Austria. It's made from 14 karat yellow gold, silver, enamel, rubies and diamonds, and it's on view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR; COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN, NEW YORK

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President of the Bowers Museum Peter Keller guides former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright into the museum to view the exhibit of her collection of pins that are on display at Bowers Museum. Albright also wrote the book, "Read My Pins," where she discusses how she used jewelry as a diplomatic weapon during her time in politics. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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"Uncle Sam Top Hat" and "Uncle Sam Eagle," circa 1940, made by Trifari, U.S.A. The pieces are enameled, with rhodium-plated base metal and rhinestones. On view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright discusses her collection of pins with Peter Keller, president of the Bowers Museum. Albright's pins are part of an exhibit at Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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"Angel," circa 1998. The designer is unknown. It's made of yellow gold-plated base metal. On view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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"Bee," circa 1980, by an unknown designer. It's made of 14 karat pink gold, silver, enamel, diamonds and garnets. Madeleine Albright said sometimes she would wear bees or beetles to convey a diplomatic message. "Read My Pins" is on view at the Bowers through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

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Madeleine Albright wears her Statue of Liberty pin. "Read My Pins" is on view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. COURTESY OF BOWERS MUSEUM

Madeleine Albright's pin, "Liberty," looks like the Statue of Liberty's head and features two once-functioning clocks. One is for her to look at, the other is for others. On view at the Bowers Museum through Jan. 13. PHOTO BY JOHN TAYLOR

â€˜Read My Pins: the Madeleine Albright Collectionâ€™

Madeleine Albright has former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to thank for her extensive collection of pins.

When Albright served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, she traveled to Iraq after the first Gulf War and was "instructed to say perfectly terrible things about Iraq," she says, because the Middle Eastern nation had invaded Kuwait and was not complying with international law.

Hussein's poet-in-residence called Albright an "unparalleled serpent" in the Iraqi press, and subsequently, the U.S. ambassador wore a golden snake brooch during discussions about Iraq. From that moment on, Albright – who proceeded to become America's first female Secretary of State – wore pins to convey and reinforce diplomatic messages.

A collection of more than 200 of these pins are on display in the Bowers Museum's latest exhibition, "Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection." The jewelry show – originally organized by the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City – tells an intriguing story of American history and foreign policy through Albright's eyes. The exhibit runs through Jan. 13.

"The reason we put this all together is, I obviously love foreign policy, and I've tried to make foreign policy less foreign," Albright, 75, said in an interview. "This show allows me to tell a foreign policy story, and make it more approachable for people."

"Read My Pins" features pins worn at important international negotiations, brooches received as gifts, and pins purchased for fun or to mark special occasions.

Highlights include the circa 1890 diamond eagle pin that Albright wore at her 1997 swearing in as Secretary of State; a golden lion's head given by British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook; a gold Peace Dove worn during negotiations with Israel and the Palestinians; and a "Breaking the Glass Ceiling" pin that represents the breakthroughs Albright made during her career. When she was sworn in as Secretary of State, Albright became the highest ranking woman in U.S. government history.

"You never plan to be a role model," she said. "But people come up to me and say my presence as Secretary of State made a difference. I try very much to talk about my experience and encourage (women) to follow whatever it is that really interests them. Anybody can go into public service and international relations."

A story accompanies nearly every pin, from the "Katrina" pin given by the son of a Hurricane Katrina victim, to the "Interceptor Missile" pin Albright wore during tense talks with Russia.

"I did get a lot of pins from foreign countries," she said. "There actually is a kind of custom of officials exchanging gifts, whether it's a classical thing – little pins that show their art and landscape – or something that reflects the country from which it came. I always wore them afterward, when I was meeting with those people."

Albright's pins would often reflect her mood or agenda, or the United States' position during various negotiations.

"On good days, it would be flowers and butterflies and balloons." On bad days, according to Albright and the exhibit, it could be bees, snakes, beetles or spiders.

"There was a time when the Russians had bugged a room not far from my office. Rather than go to their government and complain, I wore this huge bug pin. They got the message."

One important piece on display is not a pin at all. It's the Order of the White Lion medal, given to Albright in 1997 by Czechoslovakian President Václav Havel. It was Czechoslovakia's highest honor, and it was awarded to recognize Albright's efforts to encourage democracy throughout Europe. Albright was born in Prague and was the daughter of a Czech diplomat.

"As a naturalized citizen, I am so grateful to this country," she said. "With everything that has happened to me, becoming an American is one of the most important experiences, hands down."

Through all her years as a diplomat's daughter and a high-ranking diplomat herself, Albright has learned an important lesson: "How difficult it is to make really clear moral decisions."

The Bowers Museum marks the 11th stop for "Read My Pins," but it's the first and only West Coast venue for the show. The traveling exhibit will conclude Jan. 27-April 21 at the Gerald Ford Museum in Michigan.

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